City Of Hartford Launches Multi-Million Dollar Free Wi-Fi Initiative
Hartford is working with Dalio Education and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to make Wi-Fi free for residents throughout the city.
Wi-Fi has essentially become a lifeline in the modern world. It’s a core utility for many social functions, educational institutions, and basic aspects of living.
That’s why the City of Hartford has launched a new free Wi-Fi initiative, providing a wireless internet connection for residents and visitors throughout the city. This initiative is made possible thanks to a partnership with hedge fund giant Ray Dalio’s philanthropic group Dalio Education and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, covering the $3.8 million price tag.
“Internet connectivity is not a luxury, it’s an essential part of learning, earning, and living today, and we believe that every Hartford resident and every Hartford business deserves a good quality internet connection,” said Mayor Luke Bronin in a statement for the Hartford Business Journal.
Thanks to the support from Dalio Education and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Hartford is only having to invest $2.3 million. This is in addition to the $100,000 annual budget they have for LTE wireless connections in the city.
This initiative is especially important given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has moved many core services and functions online. In May of this year, the state conducted a survey to determine computing and internet access needs of residents:
- One out of every 11 students were in need of a computer or other device
- Nearly 29,000 students didn’t have adequate internet access
- Up to 40% of students in Connecticut may lack sufficient connectivity to fully engage in online schooling.
This free Wi-Fi will make it easier for Hartford residents to make use of telehealth services, and overall raise the quality of life for those living in the city.
